Benton County school board approves consent agenda, multiple contracts and budget resolutions
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Summary
At its July meeting the Benton County School Board approved the consent agenda, renewed several vendor and program contracts, adopted policy updates on first reading and approved budget resolutions, all by recorded unanimous votes. Details and vote tallies are below.
The Benton County School Board voted unanimously to approve its agenda and consent agenda and to adopt a package of routine contracts and budget resolutions at its July meeting.
In a single set of votes the board approved the agenda and consent items, including June minutes, the annual board agenda and a substitute teacher list. Chair called for the vote and the board recorded ‘aye’ with a 9-yes tally.
The board then approved a slate of purchasing cooperative agreements "with HPS, Sourcewell and BuyBoard and related vendors," which staff said are renewed annually at the auditor's direction so the district can use cooperative purchasing where appropriate. "Two years ago the comptroller's office wanted us to approve each purchasing cooperative we have," Mr. Florence explained. The board recorded nine yes votes and the motion passed.
Board members also approved multiple policy updates on first reading that staff said came from PSBA/TSBA recommendations. Mr. Lawrence told the board the policy updates are largely procedural but flagged family medical leave and the cell-phone policy for additional discussion at a later policy meeting. The board recorded nine yes votes on the first reading approvals.
A one-year renewal of the district's substitute-staffing agreement with the provider referenced in the packet was approved next. Staff described the contract as essentially unchanged from the prior year; supporters said it has been “a lifesaver” for handling leaves at larger schools. The board recorded nine yes votes and approved the one-year renewal.
The board also voted to continue the Catching Kids' Hearts program at three schools, with the district paying $5,000 and the vendor securing grants to cover the remainder of the program cost. "We've been paying about $65,000 a year" in prior funding streams, a presenter said, noting earlier ESSER funds covered much of the cost; the board approved the agreement with nine yes votes.
Finally, budget resolutions were presented and adopted. Staff noted an unclaimed-property recovery of $1,123 that will be distributed to schools and said workers' compensation costs increased about 17% from budgeted assumptions; the board voted to approve the resolutions, 9-0.
Several motions were moved and seconded but the transcript does not identify who made or seconded each motion.
Votes at a glance: - Agenda and consent agenda: Approved (recorded vote: 9 yes) - Purchasing cooperative agreements (HPS/Sourcewell/BuyBoard and others): Approved (9 yes) - Policy updates (first reading): Approved (9 yes) - Substitute-staffing contract renewal (one year): Approved (9 yes) - Catching Kids' Hearts agreement (three schools; district share $5,000): Approved (9 yes) - Budget resolutions (including unclaimed property $1,123; 17% workers' comp increase noted): Approved (9 yes)
The board recorded each roll-call vote during the meeting; roll-call was conducted by the board clerk, identified in the record as "Miss Michelle." The meeting adjourned following routine reminders about upcoming dates.
